New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-20
WALTER GETS THE DISPUTED SEAT
A FATAL VICTORY FOR THE DEMOCRATS.
DIsGRAcEFUL SCENES IN THE NEw-JERsEY LEGIs-


FATAL VICTORY FOR THE DEMOCRATS.
DIsGRAcEFUL SCENES IN THE YEw-JERsEY LEGIs-
LATURE
TRENTON, n. j., Jan. 1O.-The Democrats OF the
Assembly to-day took another step toward destroying
the validity OF their future action by seating Walter
tDcm az member from the disputed district OF Mercer
county The of riot and persistent disregard
LOT law and order repeated and the disgrace was
maze blacker and deeper. Spectators and members
ake have become case-hardened, however, and there
was disposition to regard riot matter OF course
and any insult short Of blow sufficient courtesy
The Committees on Elections composed OF Messrs.
Corbin, Armstrong and Roe (Reps.). Donohue
Labor, and Matthews Dem J. had prepared two re-
ports The first signed by four members OF the
committee. the second had Mr. Matthews solitary ap
prevail The majority report reced that the Commit
tee had given the OF Jones against Waller its full
and careful consideration; that there were several dis
puted ballots, OF which clearly disclosed the pur-
yose of the voter although irregular in form, while
Others and one especially was open to dispute that
there had been a recount under the direction Of Chief
Justice Beasev, OF the Supreme Court and it had re
suited in decision that the vote tic. Although
two ballots which were apparently intended tor Jones
lRep had not been COUNTED in his favor and although
the aim OF Walter TO another ballot was open 10
question: the committee believed the interests OF justice
and OF the parties concerned would be most truly served
by new election, which the law provided Tor In case
oil n tie.
Mr. Matthew's minority report claimed that Jones
not entitled to two ballots given him by the Dem
ocrat'c Chief Justice. and fatty recommended the
seating OF Walter.
The majority report was submitted by Mr. COrbn
when the Assembly had got through little prelmi-
nary business. Mr. Hudspoth (Dem.l. OF Hudson,
moved call of the House, and fifty nine members
answered their nanes-all being present. resolution
clearing the floor OF oil excepting State officers was
also adopted. This LETT only two or three Democratic
managers the hoor besides the members. and con-
sequentlv cleared the field for them. The House.
meanwhile settled down and it seemed for moment
as though order would be observed IL was the young
but ierocious member from h ldson. Mr. Noonan, VINO
threw in the first bomb by Offering the unprecedented
resolution that tho House should not adjourn except
ing upon call OF the yeas and nays. Speaker Bard
who was somewhat nervous but was bracing himself
for the shock Of contest which he saw coming, net tue
resoluiicn by deciding promptly that it was out OF
order Up the Democratic members. Shouts
began and above them Noonan's voice was heard APP
pralng from the decision the Chair ar Armstrong.
Rcp obtained the oor after some dihculty and pro-
tested against considering the resolution Noonan in
sisted on his motion. and moved the previous question
Gagged but es.ing, the Republicans voted with
the speaker by the two Labor votes while the
thirty Democrats voted solidy in favor OF the appeal
The Speaker was 0yerrued-3O 10 ZO-and the fcsO-
luton was then adopted.
The Democrats now had their blood up. They bore
n special grudgc against Mr. Armstrong, and when
they him prepared sneak, they lairly rodred at
him. lie kept the floor, calm and unfolding"
:" call the gentleman to CrderP shouted Noonan
q | am in order" quietly responded Sir Armstrong,
ard have n right to discuss the question OF order
before the House" The Speaker declared Mr. Arm
strong TO he in order, and the Democratic yes,
min ged with tho shouts o the galleries. destroyed the
las; ,estge OF order. Members out OF their seats.
fists shaken, threats were made and the pounding
of the speakers gayel y added to the confusion -
/" Give us justice. vel lick you out OF the chair y
yelled little Beckwith. OF Atlantic dwarf hre-eatet
OF the most pronounced Kind. hoonan made similar
threats and McDermiit. of Essex. declared: d" II we
can't have Speaker who will give us ruling well
-. l... luty ulaf Va u
IL WA ten minues-0ud seemed longer-before
enblsnce OF order restored. and by that tim" the
Democrats began TO see Tier error batieu al ESseH
and some of the cooler heads among the Democrats,
made their WY through the crowd and conn,eled
order and NOohsn himself at length saw the ioy o,
hi. proceeding, and made speech urgng better
behavior Tho tumult gradually ceased. ond Mr.
Armstrong permitted 10 makea QUIET ana dgniiled
appeal to be heard. and demanded that the report
OF the committee on the walter cast should De ieau
and ron-iderel with calmncss.
MIR orbn haoycd tina, both reports Of the committee
be printed and laid over until Monday night. hr
Noonan moved that the minority re- ort be adopted
sand Mr. Matthews at length given the privilege
of making the speech no had yearned 10 denver
from tho hrrt. In support OF his Own report linen
too we'd another brief wrangle over par liamenthry
by tue usual yote-36 to 20ta Reps blcsns. the two
Labor men and Speaker Baird voting The minority
report was then adopted ~ the vote and Walter
wa- in. resolution disehargng tue Commit
te. on Elections from confederation oil the Turey
was then adopted and Mr.. Corbin promptly resigned
IRON tho committee. new COMMITTED was thea ap
pointed, by resolution. consisting OF Messrs. Matthews
and Crane DEM, Donohne labor. and Let's and
Young (iiep Messrs. Ieppenheimer, Woyerton
Scudder Dcm.I. and Dickinson and Laurence lkep.l,
were then appointed committee Ia canvass the votes
in the Waiter AMI To consider all other contested
cases. This completed the Democratic programme
but McDermitt OF Essex, as still unsatisied. lie
offered "A resolution declaring the ONCE OF Speaker
vacant Tbis renewed the confusion. ana tor moment
there appeared probability OF more trouble Inc
leading Democrats, however. saw their peril II Speaker
Baird was to be finally driven rom their party, and
tho resolution received only Thirteen votes This
angerod McDermitt, and with his face Unnamed with
passion he shrieksd
" Your Democratic caucus Is no good and give
You notice am out OF tout OF II III every way, in
ci, diny United States Sen ator aud everything"
Somebody pulled him back into his seat, and aztec
Transferring little business the House adjourned until
Monday night "1he Democrats have accomp shed
their purpose bat II Is ia al victory was the verdict
OF onioo Scrs.
Tue r,conv, rsioB OF Assemhyu Kinney, OF Sussex.
voted will. Dehoc ats, causol general counrht
he made tho subject OF ons or the numerous IN
ys.gatiOus hresenrd. 10 STATE Re iefation or Labor
through their Lrg latye Committee, nave
Lal some 1iseu.slon with Labor Aeon Olyran Dnnale
adopted utIo declaring tbai the LABOR or
sanlsons have nothing 10 do with tue political actions
OF Labor Assenbl ymen.